NCAA Gymnastics Faces Crisis: Fisk University Program Shuts Down
The rise and sudden unraveling of women’s collegiate gymnastics programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities has become one of the most emotional stories in NCAA sports. What started as a groundbreaking movement toward inclusion and representation now faces harsh financial and structural realities.
Fisk University’s decision to discontinue its historic gymnastics program after the 2026 season, following a similar fate at Talladega College, highlights both the triumphs and the fragility of pioneering athletic initiatives.
The Historic Rise of Fisk University Gymnastics
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Fisk University’s gymnastics program wasn’t just another addition to the NCAA landscape. Launched in February 2022, it became the first intercollegiate women’s artistic gymnastics team at an HBCU and immediately stood out as a symbol of progress and opportunity.
Corrinne Tarver, serving as both head coach and athletic director, led the Fisk Lady Gymdogs to national attention before they’d even competed. Their first practice in August 2022 set the stage for a highly anticipated debut at the Super 16 meet in Las Vegas on January 6, 2023.
That opening routine by Naimah Muhammad meant more than any score. It was about access and visibility—a new pathway for gymnasts of color in collegiate athletics.
Competitive Breakthroughs and On-the-Mat Success
By the 2025 season, Fisk gymnastics had gone from a symbolic startup to a genuine competitive force. The Bulldogs notched wins against 11 opponents, including both NCAA Division I and Division II teams, and even pulled off four consecutive meet victories.
These achievements were unprecedented for such a young program. Morgan Price led the way, her performances pushing Fisk into the national spotlight.
Her consistency paid off with a historic all-around title at the 2024 USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships.
- First HBCU gymnast to win a national collegiate gymnastics championship
- All-around score of 39.225 at the 2024 championships
- Seven straight victories during the 2025 season
The Shocking Announcement of Program Discontinuation
On June 7, 2025, the gymnastics community reeled when former Fisk gymnast Naimah Muhammad revealed on Instagram Live that the program would shut down after the next season. News spread instantly across social media, with prominent gymnastics platforms picking it up.
After only a few seasons, a program that had rewritten history prepared to close its doors. Fisk University later confirmed the decision and said it needed to refocus resources on conference-affiliated sports within the HBCU Athletic Conference.
Leadership Changes and Athlete Departures
Several factors sped up the program’s decline. Corrinne Tarver, who built Fisk gymnastics from the ground up, left earlier in the year.
Her departure took away both strategic vision and institutional advocacy at a critical moment. Morgan Price also entered the transfer portal and joined the Arkansas Razorbacks. Losing a national champion hit Fisk’s competitive outlook and visibility hard.
These changes left the program exposed, especially as financial pressures piled up across the university.
Financial Strain and Institutional Challenges
Fisk University has been dealing with broader financial troubles. Delays in FAFSA processing created uncertainty for students relying on aid, which affected enrollment and planning.
Nashville’s Metro Council approved $500,000 in emergency funding during the summer of 2024 to help stabilize the university. The funding provided short-term relief but also highlighted the severity of Fisk’s financial strain.
University leadership said tough decisions were unavoidable. The gymnastics program, despite its historic value, required resources the institution just couldn’t keep providing.
The Official Response from Fisk Athletics
Fisk Director of Athletics Valencia Jordan expressed pride in what the program achieved in just three years. She praised the dedication of the gymnasts, coaches, and staff, and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening its remaining athletic offerings.
Talladega College and a Disturbing Pattern
Fisk University isn’t alone. Talladega College, the second HBCU to launch a women’s gymnastics program, followed a strikingly similar path. Announced with optimism in 2024, Talladega’s program showed immediate promise.
Freshman Kyrstin Johnson won a national championship on vault at the USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships, fueling hope that HBCU gymnastics could really thrive.
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A Short-Lived Dream
Despite early success, Talladega College announced in July 2024 that its gymnastics program would end by the end of the month. Athletes learned of the decision during a mandatory Zoom meeting, a moment that echoed painfully across the gymnastics community.
A grassroots fundraising campaign tried to raise $500,000 to save the program but fell short. By February 2025, Talladega cut six more sports programs due to sustainability concerns.
- Men’s volleyball
- Acrobatics and tumbling
- Men’s and women’s golf
- Men’s and women’s indoor track
Fisk gymnastics publicly expressed solidarity with Talladega, emphasizing unity and a shared legacy within the HBCU gymnastics movement.
What This Means for the Future of HBCU Gymnastics
The closures at Fisk and Talladega force tough questions about the long-term viability of non-revenue sports at smaller schools. Gymnastics, while gaining popularity, still demands a lot—specialized facilities, equipment, and coaching staff aren’t cheap.
But the impact of these programs goes beyond the balance sheet. They offered representation in a sport that’s historically lacked diversity and inspired a new generation of gymnasts who finally saw themselves on the collegiate stage.
As detailed in this Essentiallysports report, the tension between progress and sustainability keeps shaping the conversation.
A Legacy That Endures
Even with these programs shutting down, their legacy sticks around. Morgan Price’s championship and Naimah Muhammad’s debut routine have both left their mark.
Institutions that dared to shake up the status quo have changed the gymnastics world for good. You can’t really erase that kind of impact, can you?
Looking ahead, maybe what happened at Fisk and Talladega will spark better financial plans and stronger partnerships. The dream for HBCU gymnastics isn’t gone—it’s just on hold for now.
Progress in sports almost never goes in a straight line. It takes vision, sure, but it also needs steady investment and people willing to stick with it for the long haul.